004 | Harry Potter | [ Voice ]

[troublefindsme]

[ Some of you may or may not recognize the voice over the Journal as belonging to one Harry Potter, the boy who lived. It's been awhile and he's just been informed what month it is so he's feeling a bit awkward and very confused. But hey! at least he's getting free food! ]

So apparently it's not actually February anymore and I've been gone a few months.

I was on the ship Charming Murderess until-well, for me it was just yesterday-but the point is-does anyone know where my-er crew is?

I know the name's a bit-er... alarming but I don't think anyone on it was actually a murderer. Hopefully that's not changed.

Comments

[Voice]

[thetruehistorian]

Sometimes names and reputations aren't always what they seem. Have you ever heard of Klabautermann?

[Voice]

[troublefindsme]

Er.. no. I can't say that I have.

[Voice]

[thetruehistorian]

And more's the pity. Klabautermann are good luck. Some say they're kobold, or gnomes that help out around the ship. Others say it's the spirit of the ship itself given physical form because of the deep bond between the ship and the crew it carries. Klabautermann help keep ropes tidy and do small repairs, but they are invisible to the crew. Unless, of course, the ship is doomed. Only then can the crew that loves it so see with their eyes its physical manifestation, and hear the ship's voice singing clear above the waves. Perhaps you'll eventually sense one on the Sea Princess, if you can learn to love her well enough.

[Voice]

[troublefindsme]

Oh. Well... it could be fun. Living on a ship isn't any worse than living with my aunt and uncle.

[Voice]

[thetruehistorian]

What were they like?

[Voice]

[troublefindsme]

Er... Miserable is probably a good way to describe it.

[ The subject of Life with the Dursley's is still a pretty uncomfortable one and he's just sure there's a certain someone eavesdropping from somewhere and the last thing he needs Draco Malfoy to know is that his Aunt and Uncle fully encouraged using Harry as a punching bag. ]

[Voice]

[thetruehistorian]

[She giggles.]

Perhaps that's simply the way living with aunts and uncles is. Mine were dreadful, before they died.

[Voice]

[troublefindsme]

I hope not. It's hard to imagine everyone's aunt and uncle are as bad as mine are.

[Voice]

[thetruehistorian]

Mm. Still, where would we be without them, right?

[Voice]

[troublefindsme]

I guess.

[ He's often wondered that same exact question but usually it's far more bitter and with the idea that he'd be better off not living with them but apparently no one else seems to think so. ]

[Voice]

[thetruehistorian]

[Robin doesn't often find others who've been where she's been. He'll have to pardon her nosiness.]

Perhaps one day you'll see things differently. Misery can either destroy a person, or make them stronger. I wonder which effect it's had on you?

[Voice]

[troublefindsme]

No, I think-I think I'd have been loads better off growing up anywhere else. [ Maybe it did make him stronger, who knows. All he knows is that being intentionally starved and locked in a small cupboard sucks and no one should ever have to go through that, regardless if it makes them stronger or not. ]

[Voice]

[thetruehistorian]

[And Robin had days when she longed for a cupboard to lock herself into.]

It's surprising how many children feel that way, regardless of their home situation.

[Voice]

[troublefindsme]

Yeah well, I don't think many people actually have an aunt and uncle that actually do hate them.